System and Method to Authenticate Electronics Using Electronic-Metrics

ABSTRACT

A system for authenticating a first entity. The system comprises a storage component for storing a trained electronic-metric factor, a sensor for receiving an electronic-metric input from the first entity, an analysis component associated with a second entity for determining a first relationship between the trained electronic-metric factor and any electronic-metric input, and an authentication component for authenticating the first entity responsive to the first relationship.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to a provisional patentapplication filed on Jul. 5, 2016 and assigned Application No.62/188,684, and to a provisional application filed on Jul. 30, 2015 andassigned application No. 62/198,817, both of which are incorporatedherein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the general field of authentication andcontrols, specifically methods and devices to securely authenticateentities, and select and execute actions, controls, transactions, andpayments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most payments today are typically performed by a user selecting apayment method from a wallet. A user generally selects from a plethoraof payment cards such as credit, debit, gift, or some other paymentmeans such as trusty cash.

Other more advanced prior art systems and methods of identifying theuser as well as authorizing the payment action are known. WIPO publishedpatent application WO 2011163071 is one such method wherein biometricinformation collected from a user is matched with data stored in abiometric database. A biometric match then authorizes payment to avending machine specifically.

Applications of this type typically regulate the sale of restrictedproducts such as alcohol to consumers whose biometrics match therequired regulatory standards mandatory for purchasing such items atspecific locations such as vending machines. Such locations are nottypically staffed by a sales person and thus the use of biometrics isnecessary.

US published patent application 2011/0282785 describes using a gestureto authenticate a user prior to accessing any payment data fortransmission over a near field communication (NFC) link. According tothe patent application, a user is required to make a user-definedgesture above a touch sensitive area on a “target” device to gain accessto payment or transaction information on a wireless device. Access tothe payment or transaction information is authorized if the gesturematches a previously-recorded user-defined gesture. The user can thenconduct the payment or transaction using the wireless device.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,913,028 also describes a gesture-based method, butdescribes a “tactile” force as well to take a mobile device or anon-transitory computing device from a first state to a second statespecifically to change an unlocked state or a music playlist.

US published patent application 2014/0064566 authorizes access topayment information from a gesture captured by a camera.

Other prior art such as US published patent application 2015/0019432utilizes motion of a mobile device to authorize a payment. Prior art ofthis type typically uses a device to detect a particular gesture throughsensors, such as a gyroscope, within the mobile device. A signalrepresenting the gesture is then sent to a passive device using apeer-to-peer connection.

Similarly, Canadian published patent application 2860114 utilizes adevice containing gesture-detecting sensors including an accelerometer,a video camera, or a magnetic field sensor. Once a gesture is receivedfrom the user on the mobile device, it is sent to a hub.

US published patent application 2014/0300540 describes a mobile deviceused to capture a user gesture, which is then translated into acoefficient. This gesture is then communicated to a hub either connectedto or internal to a given interface. Herein, a gesture is specificallyassociated with accounts online and over a network, increasing thepossibility of an attack.

Similar to US published patent application 2014/0300540, US publishedpatent application 2011/0251954 uses a touch gesture captured on amobile device to access a specific online financial account to make apayment.

Likewise, US published patent application 2010/0217685 uses a user-basedgesture to make a “commerce-related action” in a “networkedenvironment”.

In CN 103268436 A, a gesture is used to make a payment at a givenpayment terminal.

US published patent application 2012/0330833 describes a method whereina user inputs a gesture which is then used in correlation with an imageof the user captured by a camera to identify the user with a specificaccount that may be used to make a transaction at a terminal including aPOS (point of sale) system.

EPO publication 2690850 describes information sent from one device toanother with a throwing-like gesture. Herein, when a user wants to sendinformation, he or she will take the first device and make a throwinggesture with that device in the direction of the receiving device.

US issued U.S. Pat. No. 9,292,731 describes a gesture-based signatureauthentication system and method. A user offers a gesture-basedsignature that is stored for later use as a template. The user lateroffers a gesture-based signature for authentication. The latergesture-based signature is compared with the template gesture and if insubstantial agreement the stored gesture-based signature is deemedauthentic.

US published patent application 2012/0324559 describes a user gesturereceived by a first device, which extracts features, then translatesthose features into a token. The token is then sent to a secondelectronic device, which can either derive another token from theoriginal token, or use the original token. Finally, the secondaryelectronic device will send the token (either the original or thereproduced) to a server.

WIPO publication 2014/041458 describes a mobile system that is used tomake payments in a mobile currency while utilizing a mobile account togenerate a barcode containing the payment information. In someembodiments, a gesture “of any body part” is utilized to access a singlemobile account.

The prior art references consist of a single biometric or gestureauthenticating the user to allow access to data such as financial dataor payment data. Some prior art references describe methods to accessdata to send to a mobile device, hub or remote server to authenticateand execute a payment. Several implementations of said prior art utilizeone or more online services to perform authentication and approval for atransaction.

The prior art references consist of the gesture unlocking access to allaccounts, but not to a specific account selectable from a multitude ofaccounts. Such gesture-based prior art describes techniques that simplyserve as a “graphical password” to access a device and/or executepayment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

No known prior art references combine motion or position with otherauthentication factors. Likewise, no known prior art references utilizebehavior to both authenticate a user and identify an action byassociating the behavior to a specific account from multiple accounts.Here the behavior of the user (more generally referred to as an entity)selects the account and executes payment, both based on the same userbehavior as detected by a device. Prior art references do not discloseany link to a specific account, but instead allow wireless communicationof accessed payment data associated with the payment gesture (bothsingular).

The more difficult challenge is to match multiple biometrics,electronic-metrics, knowledge-metrics and/or behavior-metrics tospecific actions from a plethora of actions so that each authenticationmethod performed by a user selects the action as well as authenticatesthe individual. This challenge is further exacerbated by recognitionthat authentication methods are not exact. They are based uponstatistical modeling that does not result in the creation of specificnumber that can be matched with databases.

As the number of actions increases, so does the complexity of matchingmultiple authentications to multiple actions, such as but not limited toselection of payment accounts.

What is needed is a method and related devices to reliably detect andrecognize one or multiple biometric and behavior-metrics in a mannerthat can be consistently compared to multiple cryptographic keys thatare then associated with specific data, an account, a transaction, etc.For example, the cryptographic key can be associated with a paymentaccount from among a plurality of payment accounts. The accounts arecompletely selectable and under the owners full control via a specificbehavior performed by the user. These behavioral methods (also referredto herein as behavior metrics) may be executed on a local device orremotely through an online connection.

The present invention enables users to authenticate and or perform atransaction, choose a payment account, alias, crypto-currency, paymentamount, communication system, and/or method and/or transaction amount bysimply expressing themselves in a specific manner that is associatedwith an account, an alias to an account or currency, a crypto currency,a payment method, a communications system, or a payment amount, forexample.

Under this invention, user behaviors may be associated with specificaccounts, purchase selections or parameters, amounts and/or paymentmethods to facilitate a transaction with the user selected accountand/or payment method. Behaviors contemplated by the present inventioncomprise any position, motion, sound, or other behavior detectable byone or more sensors on one or more devices. The behaviors are performedby a user to a payment account or payment method, such as but notlimited to a PIN entered, facial expression, word or sound spoken,gesture, movement, position or pattern drawn or selected.

Accounts may include one or more payment, loyalty, or other accountowned by a user, or in some embodiments, an alias that represents anaccount. Payment methods (also referred to herein as “communicationssystems” for use in making the payment) may include but are not limitedto any one or more of magnetic stripe, wireless magnetic stripe, NFC(near field communication), RFID (radio frequency identification),Bluetooth or BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), PAN (Private Area Network),WiFi, 3G/4G/LTE, acoustic/sound, light and the like.

In many electronic financial transactions, users frequently identifythemselves using a code or a “PIN” (personal identification number).Certain embodiments of the present invention introduce the concept ofgenerating codes or numbers from specific user behavior. In somenon-limiting embodiments, these behavior codes are generated fromrecognition scores and associated to a specific dictionary value (e.g.,letter, number, and symbol). The dictionary may also be changed, as insome embodiments. Behavior codes are also referred to as “Behavior PINs”herein.

Behavior PINs (also referred to as behavioral metrics herein) are uniqueidentifiers derived from behaviors that may be recognized by anindividual and translated into specific alphanumerical codes by uniquescoring or coding techniques. In some embodiments, these codes may alsoinclude other authentication factors such as one or more biometrics.

In some embodiments, a PIN entered by a user is recognized toauthenticate and/or direct a transaction. Transactions may includeaccess to devices, locations, doors, data, personal information, paymentinformation or the like, or in some embodiments, the authorization totransfer data, currency, and/or units of monetary value from one entityto another entity, entities consisting of any device, server, person,application, software and the like.

In other embodiments, an expression such as a facial expression istranslated to an “expression PIN” to authenticate and/or direct aspecific account and/or payment method or communications system. In yetanother embodiment, a biometric such as voice or sounds are recognizedand translated to a “voice PIN” to authenticate and/or direct atransaction. Other embodiments include “gesture PINs” wherein one ormore payments are directed from user movement such as but not limited towaving a device in a specific manner. Yet other embodiments include“pattern PINs” wherein specific accounts and/or payment methods aredirected by a user drawing a pattern on a device such as but not limitedto a touch screen. The “expression PINS” and “pattern PINS” are each aclass of “behavioral metrics.” The “voice PIN” is a type of “biometricPIN.”

For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a user entering a pattern PIN plusorientation of a phone. The user orients the phone vertically 22 anduses their finger 20 to draw the mouth of a smiley face 21. The userthen flips the card 23 horizontally 24 and draws the eyes 25. The userthen flips the card 26 vertically 27 to complete the drawing of thesmiley face 28. The orientation and pattern drawn must match the trainedbehavior for authentication to succeed.

In all these embodiments, multiple features are extracted to uniquelyidentify the user as well as the gestures, patterns, expressions, words,sounds or other salient features that may be associated with an accountor payment method.

PINs may be generated from risk scores performed on segments orpartitions of the detected behavior. When a specific user behavior isdetected, feature extraction may be applied to each frame, state, ordimension of the detected behavior. The feature sets are then recognizedbased on trained behavior and converted into risk scores. Forauthentication, it is desired to produce the same PIN for differenttrained user behavior. For example, a user speaking the word “Visa” ordrawing the word “Visa” with their finger on an input device wouldresult in the same PIN used for authentication.

In some embodiments of the present invention, Hidden Markov Models (HMM)are used for the statistical modeling of user behavior. The HiddenMarkov Model must be first trained with sufficient user data to improvereliable detection. The training procedure dynamically analyzes multiplesets of behavior data to model the behavior and to determine optimallocations and segments of the behaviors. The model further generates arange of acceptable risk scores for each behavior or behavior segment.

Each risk score produced generates appropriate ranges to create the riskscore dictionary.

For example, for behaviors that are recognized (that is, matched to apreviously-trained behavior) a risk score range is identified. Riskscores within that range indicate that the behavior was recognized.Higher scores within the range indicate a more likely, statisticallyspeaking, match with the trained behavior and lower risk scores withinthat range indicate a less likely match. In any case, any score withinthe range is deemed a behavior match. The matching behavior is thentranslated to a PIN (for example) that comprises characters that aredefinite and repeatable. The PIN can then unlock crypto methodologiesthat demand a specific sequence of characters or numbers as an input toaccess its cryptographic key. Although described in the context of abehavior, these concepts can also be applied to segments of thebehavior.

If a risk score or a (risk score range) has already been generated for adifferent user behavior, the risk score for this different behavior canbe adopted or modified to indicate an identical PIN for these twodifferent behaviors. Because of this, the risk score dictionary hasrolling definitions and is therefore dynamically changing.

Thus identical PINs can be generated for different behaviors, such asthe uttering a specific word and drawing a specific pattern. While bothPINs have the same value, they are both generated differently, accordingto where their risk values were located in the dictionary.

In the case of voice input, voice features are extracted and thenprocessed through the HMM recognizer. The HMM recognizer will producethe behavior recognized (e.g. user has spoken the word “Visa”) and thePIN generated (e.g. “1A2!J”).

In the case of pattern input on a touch screen, the sequence of touchevents are extracted and processed through the HMM recognizer. The HMMrecognizer will produce the behavior recognized (e.g. user drew anexclamation mark) and the same PIN generated for the detected voice(e.g. “1A2!J”).

In some embodiments, in lieu of a specific risk score, risk score rangesare used to indicate a match between trained behavior and thecurrently-presented behavior from the entity or user.

Each risk score is interpreted as a given character or code or PIN. ThePIN derived from the currently-presented behavior is compared with arecorded or stored PIN to authenticate the user (the person presentingthe behavior). In certain embodiments the behavior is matched to fixed,inflexible cryptographic keys within cryptographic components ordevices. Generally, each gesture (or other metric input) is scored andstored as a cryptographic value. Each of these cryptographic values canthen be stored within an encrypted device or other encrypted componentsuch as an encrypted chip.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a user is able to select aspecific biometric factor from among, for example, a gesture, voice, orsound that he or she provides. For example, different metric factors mayrefer to different payment amounts or to different sub-accounts under afinancial account.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a process of authenticating with a tap PIN plus therotation of the smart card.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process of authenticating with a position patternplus the rotation of the phone.

FIG. 3 illustrates multiple metrics being used for authentication andcode generation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process of converting a voice input into a PIN.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process for selecting a specific account with avoice PIN.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process of converting a voice print segments into aPIN.

FIG. 7 illustrates a process of authenticating with an electron metricand pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before describing in detail the particular methods and apparatusesrelated to user authentication systems and components that provideadditional levels of access and security, it should be observed that theembodiments of the present invention reside primarily in a novel andnon-obvious combination of elements and method steps. So as not toobscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art, certain conventional elements and steps havebeen presented with lesser detail, while the drawings and thespecification describe in greater detail other elements and stepspertinent to understanding the embodiments.

The presented embodiments are not intended to define limits as to thestructures, elements or methods of the inventions, but only to provideexemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather thanmandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive.

The present invention comprises a system and method to authenticateand/or perform an action or transaction based upon one or combinationsof metrics, such as but not limited to knowledge-metrics, biometrics,electronic-metrics and behavior-metrics. Responses to questions, PINs(personal identification numbers), passwords, and patterns all describe“something you know”, called “knowledge-metrics” herein. Biometricscapture physiological characteristics that describe “something you are”and behavior-metrics describe “how you behave.”

Behavior-Metrics Defined:

Behavior-metrics are defined as analysis or measurements of somebehavior performed by one or more entities that can be used todiscriminate one or more entities or groups of entities from one or moreother entities or groups of entities.

Users, computers, devices, and the like that are able to perform somemeasurable behavior are collectively called “entities” hereafter.Entities may, in some embodiments, perform some behaviorcollaboratively, as a group, cluster or plurality of entities,collectively called “collaborative entitles” herein.

Electronic-Metrics:

In some embodiments, behavior-metrics may be electronic in nature. Inthe case of electronics, one electronic emission may be distinctive fromanother electronic emission. Such electronic emissions are called“electronic-metrics” hereafter.

Similar to using biometrics to discriminate “something you are”,electronic-metrics may be used to differentiate one electronic devicefrom another electronic device by differentiating “something a device isor “emits”.

Discriminating Electronic Emissions:

Non-human entities such as electronic devices typically communicate viasome form of electro-magnetic field (EMF) emission such as but notlimited to RF (radio frequencies) signals and the like. Electronics alsoemit distinctive signals that classically do not convey information andtherefore are sometimes called “noise”. These EMF emissions aredistinctive to the circuits that generate them, facilitating recognition(and therefore authentication) of the emitting entity by recognizing thedistinctive characteristics of the electronic emission. Under thisinvention, these distinctive electronic emissions may be used todiscriminate one entity from another, and thus authenticate an entity.

Distinctive electronic EMF emissions are low power, detectable in the“near field”, close proximity to another device one or more smallsensors. Sensors may include small coils, EMF or RF components orantennas such as but not limited to that described in the co-ownedpatent application Ser. No. 15/089,844 entitled Accordion AntennaStructure, field Apr. 4, 2016.

Received EMF signals may be transformed to the frequency domain via anFFT (Fast Fourier Transform) or equivalent time-to-frequency domainconversion method (which those well versed in the art will recognize).The signal may be moved or “upconverted” or “downconverted” and/orcompared with noise to cancel noise that may conflict with the low-levelsignal. Features may then be extracted from the FFT and characterizedusing analytical methods including but not limited to Hidden MarkovModels (HMM) and the like. The output is then scored and compared to astored template of a previously trained capture of the EMF from thespecific electronic, and if within certain thresholds of the resultantrisk score, a “match” is confirmed, and authentication is approved.

In some embodiments, the EMF emitted from one or more electronics may berecognized as a electronic-metric in combination with one or more otherauthentication methods such as but not limited to biometrics,knowledge-metrics, behavior-metrics and the like. Under certainconditions, one electronic entity may detect and recognize thedistinctive EMF emitted from another electronic entity through a user'sbody as he or she touches both electronics. Thus, under suchembodiments, multiple authentication factors may be detected andauthentication simultaneous so that the authenticating device knows theother device performing the behavior is indeed from that specific deviceand not from another electronic possibly attempting to fool theauthentication.

Combinations may also be utilized that combine one or moreauthentication methods and/or factors simultaneously or sequentially.For example, while a user draws a pattern using some device, the EMFsignature of a first electronic device that is used to perform thebehavior may be detected and transmitted through the user's body to asecond electronic device that then recognizes the first electronicdevice as one factor (electronic-metric) in the authentication process,as well as the pattern (knowledge-metric), fingerprint (biometric) ofthe individual and the movement (behavior) as the pattern is drawn.

Entity Actions:

Behavior-metrics may consist of one or more behaviors, actions, motion,movement, positions, gestures, pressures, directions or any activitythat is distinctive to one or more entities, called “behaviors”hereafter. Behaviors can be observed, detected, captured, analyzed,modeled, scored and/or compared, collectively called “user activities oruser actions”.

These behaviors may be used to differentiate one or more entities fromone or more other entities (e.g. authentication, recognition oridentification). Authentication is the process of comparing an input toknown trained observations. The authentication result will pass if thetrained value matches statistically close enough to the input values.Recognition is the process of statistically processing the input into aresult that can be used for authentication. Identification is theprocess of determining who a user is (identify them) by statisticallycomparing their recognition result with a database of known users.

Inclusion of Something You are:

In many cases, behavior-metrics may include but are not limited to oneor more biometrics (something you are), electronic-metrics (something adevice or entity is), or responses/PINs/passwords/patterns/taps(something you know). For instance, one or more entities may emit somesound, words or phrases, collectively called “sounds” herein. Under thisnon-limiting biometric example, one or more sounds may be observed as acombination of a biometric (who is saying) or electronic-metric (what issaying), the sound (what was said), and/or behavior-metric (how it wassaid).

Similarly, a PIN (personal identification number) may be entered by oneor more entities as another non-limiting example. Both the PIN(something you know) and how the PIN was entered (how you behave) may berecognized as a behavior-metric. Thus, in this embodiment, one entity orentities would be differentiated from another entity or entities by notonly the PIN entered, but how the PIN was entered.

Combinations:

In another non-limiting knowledge-metric example, sensors used to detectand analyze what is drawn to recognize a gesture, and the same sensorscould be used to detect and analyze how it is drawn to recognizebehavior. In yet another non-limiting biometric example, a fingerprintmay be recognized, while a behavior aspect may also be recognized as thefinger draws a pattern.

Sensors:

Various types of sensors may be used to detect and capture behaviors.Sensors include but are not limited to optical, infrared, depth, 3D,acoustic, image and other sensors that can capture behaviors. Somesensors could also include touch sensors such as resistive, capacitive,and optical touch screen. In yet other embodiments, touch sensors may beused such as simple pads that can be used for “tap PINs”, whereauthentication is based on which pads are tapped in sequence. Regardlessof the sensing technology, one authentication type may be performed incoordination with a behavior-metric as in some non-limiting embodiments,or as in other non-limiting embodiments, using the same sensortechnology to perform both authentication types.

FIG. 1 illustrates a non-limiting example of a tap PIN with rotation ofthe smart card being used for authentication. In FIG. 1, the userorients the card horizontally 4 and taps the first touch button 2 withtheir finger 1. Then the card is flipped to the right 5 vertically 6 andthe third button 7 is tapped. After that the card is flipped back 8horizontally 9 and the first touch button is tapped 10 again to completethe tap PIN. In another example the card could have been flippedbackwards, or at an angle and then a PIN could have been tapped to enterthe tap PIN.

Authentication Types:

This method and system of behavior-metric recognition may be expanded tocombinations of biometrics, electronic-metrics, knowledge-metrics,behavior-metrics, collectively called “authentication types” herein,either sequentially, where one method is performed followed by anothermethod, or simultaneously, where a two or more methods may be usedsimultaneously.

Position PINs:

Non-limiting examples of simultaneous authentication methods include“Position PINs”, where a device is held in a specific position ororientation while a PIN is entered. In this embodiment, the position ororientation is the behavior that is recognized as the PIN is entered.Under some embodiments, the PIN could be replaced by anotherauthentication type such as but not limited to a biometric such as afingerprint, face, IRIS, voice, palm, heartbeat or the like. Likewise,the position of the device could be changed prior, during or after anentry of another authentication type.

For a non-limiting example, a face may be held in different positionssuch as but not limited to moving the face to the right for a period oftime, then to up for another period of time, and finally to the left forsome period of time. The face may be recognized as a biometric(something you are), but also the position and/or movement may berecognized as a behavior-metric (how the face is moved or for how longit is held in a specific position), as non-limiting examples.

Dynamic Authentication:

In addition to simultaneous and sequential, authentication methods maybe performed dynamically. Dynamic authentication methods include but arenot limited to manual selection, requested sequence, and adaptiveauthentication methods. “Manual selection” comprises selection of one ormore authentication methods from a plethora of authentication methods.“Requested sequence” comprises an entity requesting a particularsequence of authentication methods. “Adaptive authentication” comprisesauthentication methods automatically selected based on environmentaland/or device factors. Adaptive authentication methods can lower falsenegative authentication rates (e.g., users do not fail authenticationeasily due to unsuitable environments or device factors).

Local, Remote and Distributed:

Authentication methods such as behavioral methods may be executed on alocal device or remotely through an online connection, such as but notlimited to cloud-based solutions. As a non-limiting example, biometrics,electronic-metrics, knowledge-metrics, behavioral-metrics and the likemay be collected or “observed” at a local level, but authentication maybe executed “remotely” on one or more servers or devices centralized ordistributed in the cloud. Likewise, preferred methods comprise localauthentication and/or actions, wherein the user is able to perform theseactions through his or her local device. According to this embodiment,authentication methods and/or other actions may be recognized local to aspecific device, or distributed over multiple devices across a local orprivate network, or in some embodiments, across the Internet of Things(IOT) or combinations as described in the co-owned patent applicationSer. No. 15/018,496 entitled “Distributed Method and System to ImproveCollaborative Services Across Multiple Devices”, filed Feb. 8, 2016.

One non-limiting intermediate variation of local authentication andonline authentication and selection may entail a situation wherein auser authenticates and/or performs some other action using anintermediate device including but not limited to a POS (point of sale)terminal or a hub. In some embodiments the user may authenticate andselect from his or her device as it communicates with the intermediatedevice. In other embodiments, the user may authenticate and selectdirectly through an intermediate or remote device.

Actions:

This method and system of behavior-metric recognition may facilitatemany other markets and applications, including authentication, actions,controls, transactions, and the like, collectively called “actions”herein. Herein, one or more specific biometrics, electronic-metrics,knowledge-metrics, behavior-metrics and/or combinations may beassociated with one or more specific actions. In some embodiments, anaction associated with a behavior-metric is selectable from a plethoraof actions via specific behavior performed by one or more entities.

Authentication and Controls:

Authentication includes but may not be limited to access to devices,computers, locked rooms, doors and the like, as well as sendingauthentication credentials to access websites, services, applications,software, networks or any other electronic entity and the like. Controlsmay include but are not limited to environmental, lighting, music,entertainment, gaming, audio volume and the like. As a non-limitingexample environmental conditions may include a closed room with a lot ofecho preventing reliable voice authentication, or a device not having amicrophone to perform voice processing, or a room too dark to capturegesture motions in addition to a device being too under powered toprocess facial recognition.

Transactions:

In some embodiments, authentication methods are associated to specificdata that is directed to some transaction. Transactions include but arenot limited to payment transactions, where financial data is transferredto a payment processing solution, locally, online, through a private orpublic network, or within an intermediate platform including but notlimited to a point of sale (POS) terminal. Accounts, aliases associatedwith accounts, amounts, payment communication types, categories,security codes, names, tokens or other non-limiting portions orcomponents of payment information, collective called “paymentinformation” hereafter, may be directed by a user's behavior.

Accounts may include one or more payments, loyalty, or any otheraccounts owned by a user, or as in some embodiments, an alias thatrepresents an account.

Amounts are one or more metric factors related to an account (a paymentamount for example). Such amounts include but are not limited to amountsas defined by a specific number, as well as discounts, or points. Metricfactors may also include the amount and type of currency andcrypto-currency selected.

Communication systems or communications protocols involved in thepayment (or in another type of transaction) include, but are not limitedto, methods to transmit data to a magnetic stripe reader (such a dynamicmagnetic strip or wireless electromagnetic antenna), “direct contact”methods (including but not limited to a dynamic EMV chip), and/or aninductive coil. Other interfaces or communications systems may includebut are not limited to RFID (radio frequency identification), NFC (nearfield communication), BLE (Bluetooth® low energy), Bluetooth®, Wifi®,PAN (personal area network), 3G standards, 4G standards, Bar code, QRcode, sound/acoustic and/or light.

Devices include but are not limited to wearables, portables, mobiledevices (e.g., smart wallets), cell phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, jewelry or PCs (personal computers) and the like. Devices thatcan be used to select, generate and/or direct payment include but arenot limited to smart wallets, cell phones, tablets, smart watches,and/or any other mobile or wearable device, called “mobile devices”herein. Devices that can be used to make payment are called “paymentdevices” herein.

The present invention supports payment Interfaces over which paymentmethods such as but not limited to tokens and/or cryptograms may bedirected.

Multi-Tokenization:

Tokens and/or cryptograms may be generated by a variety of methodsincluding but not limited to local generation such as EMV, HCE (hostcard emulation), and/or cloud-based tokenization services such asMasterCard, Visa, American Express and the like. Herein, one or moredevices may be utilized to select an account, generate and/or transmit atoken or cryptogram, and/or direct the payment to a payment interfaceand/or device. Services that generate tokens and/or cryptograms arecalled “tokenization services” hereafter.

A user may direct a token using one or more inputs including but notlimited to behavior-metrics, electronic-metrics, biometrics, and/or aknowledge-metrics. Herein, behavioral inputs are some action that can beperformed that uniquely identifies a user.

In certain embodiments behaviors contemplated by this invention includebut are not limited to any motion, sound, voice, words, phrases, touch,facial expressions, PINs, passwords, pattern, drawings, responses toquestions, gestures or other behavior detectable by one or more sensorson one or more devices, and/or combinations thereof executed serially orconcurrently. The invention is also applicable generally to machinelearnable behaviors where a model of the behavior and a risk scoredictionary or table associated with the behaviors has been created.

PINs are personal identification numbers that are frequently associatedwith financial services to authenticate access (something you know).However, under some embodiments of this invention, PINs may alsoidentify an individual and account and/or payment method and/or paymentamount by associating the PIN to the user, account and/or payment. Inaddition, PINs may be referred to as “behavior biometrics” if the waythe user enters data, such as with dynamic PIN implementations asdescribed in the co-owned provisional patent application No. 62/198,817entitled Methods and Systems Related to Multi-Factor, Multi-Dimensional,Hidden Security PINs, filed Jul. 30, 2015.

Facial expressions may include but are not limited to a pose,expressions, blinking rate and number of blinks of the eyes, as well anyrelated changes to the face caused by a user's behavior. For example(non-limiting), purposeful changes to the face may be associated with aspecific account, payment amount, and/or payment method, while alsoserving to recognize (authenticate) the user. Thus, the behaviorbiometric may be used to direct a payment as well as authenticate theuser.

In some embodiments two or more facial expressions, as well as the timebetween each expression or the duration, speed, or acceleration of eachexpression may be used in correlation with one another behavior (orsingly) to authenticate a user and/or access an account.

Different aspects of a user's facial expression may also be utilized torecognize/authenticate the user as well as select one or more accounts.Such aspects may include but are not limited to poses, the extent towhich a user moves a certain part of his or her face or how the usermoves his face or a certain part of his or her face. The extent may bemeasured, in some non-limiting embodiments, by comparing the dimensionsof the received input with the dimensions of a previously trained input.In some non-limiting embodiments, the distance between the user's faceand the entity receiving the data may be taken into account and used forrisk scoring. In yet other embodiments, the speed and/or acceleration ofa facial expression may be measured and used to authenticate the user.

Likewise, voice biometrics are unique in that they can convey bothidentification (something you are) as well as a secret (a word or soundthat you know), and in some embodiments, behavior (some way you speak).Herein a sound recognition device as well as any other vibratory sensingdevice including but not limited to one or more microphones or othersensors that detect sound may be used.

According to certain embodiments, voice or sound expressions may also beutilized for the present invention to enable users to be authenticatedwhile also selecting an account and/or payment method from multipleaccounts and/or payment methods.

In some embodiments, different aspects of the sound or voice may betaken into consideration. Such aspects include but are not limited tothe pitch of the voice or sound, the frequency of the voice or sound,the speed and/or acceleration with which an entity says or makes asound, and the intervals of speed during the course of the voice orsound. The intervals of speed are defined herein as the speed with whicheach dimension of the sound is produced. Dimensions may include but arenot limited to the syllables or frames (intervals) of the recordedaudio.

Behavior, as in some non-limiting embodiments, may include but is notlimited to body movements, finger(s) or hand movements, and/or manualmanipulation of devices by the user. These gestures may be detected bymotion detecting devices such as but not limited to touch interfaces,acoustic sensors, image, optical or infrared sensors, and/or cameras, aswell as device movement or motion detection sensors such as but notlimited to accelerometers and gyroscopes.

In some embodiments, parameters including but not limited to speed,acceleration, intervals of speed and/or acceleration/deceleration,and/or direction of movement may be used to differentiate betweenindividuals attempting the same gesture. Thus, movements such aspatterns, drawings, gestures and the like are considered behaviorbiometrics in that they can contain both the identity of a specific useras well the account and/or payment method chosen by the specific user.

For instance, in one non-limiting example a user may draw in space withhis or her hand the letters V ISA or G A S to select a specific paymentmethodology using gesture behavior biometrics (use the VISA credit cardto charge the purchase or use the Exxon gas credit card to charge mypurchase). Another non-limiting example is to spell 1 5 0 to choose theamount to be paid.

In some non-limiting embodiments, features may not only be extractedfrom the motion of the body part, but also the physical features of thebody part itself. Physical aspects may include but are not limited tothe dimensions of the body part being utilized for movement. Dimensionscan include but are not limited to the width, length, or circumferenceof the body part. Other physiological aspects of a body part couldinclude a face, body, arm, hand, or fingerprint.

A non-limiting example of the speed during intervals of the movement mayinclude, but is not limited to, a user making a circular motion with hisfinger. The speed and/or acceleration of a finger may be consistentlydifferent at different portions of the motion throughout the course ofthe entire motion. These different “intervals of speed” may be used asspecific data sources for feature extraction during authenticationand/or selection. Of course these “intervals of speed” must have beenpreviously trained by the user to the device that executes therecognition.

Still another method of the present invention utilizes body partmovements for authentication as they are applied to a device. Accordingto such embodiments, a user may simply touch or draw a pattern to directa payment. For the purposes of recognizing a behavior via a touch on adevice, devices may be or have internal parts including but not limitedto touch screens and/or capacitive, resistive, infrared or other touchdetection sensor technologies. In one non-limiting example a user mayutilize his or her finger to make a gesture on a touch screen device.Herein different aspects of the user's gesture can be utilized forauthentication. These aspects include but are not limited to aspects ofmotion such as but not limited to the direction of the gesture, thespeed of the gesture, the acceleration of the gesture, the pressure ofthe finger on the receiving device and the direction of the gesture.

Physiological aspects of the body part performing the gesture measuredmay include but are not limited to the width of the finger, the lengthof the finger, or the print made by the finger itself. In onenon-limiting example, a user may make a gesture with his or her fingerin a circular motion on a touch screen device. Different aspects of thegesture will be recorded and used for risk scoring, such as thedirection of the motion, the pressure applied to the screen, the speedof his gesture (as a whole and throughout different intervals of themotion), and the finger print that the user made when drawing thecircle.

One advantage of these behavior biometrics methods and systems is thatthey enable accessibility to those that may have some disability such asbut not limited to sight impairment. Behavior biometrics also enableusers to quickly direct a payment (choose an account, and/or paymentmethod and/or payment amount) by simply performing a behavior that isassociated with the specific payment account, payment method and/oramount.

In many electronic financial transactions, users frequently identifythemselves using a code or a “PIN” (personal identification number).This invention introduces the concept of generating codes from specificdetected behavior. Behavior codes are referred to as “Behavior PINs”herein.

As described herein, behavior PINs are unique identifiers derived frombehaviors that are recognized by an individual and translated intospecific “codes” by unique scoring methods. Behavior codes may be usedto as authentication credentials in some embodiments, or credentialsassociated with another activity in other embodiments, or combinationsof authentication and activity credentials.

In some embodiments, these behavior codes are generated based onrecognition scores and may be represented by binary, polynomials, oralphanumerical representations, or in some embodiments, associated withone or more specific numbers, symbols, dictionary letters, or any othernon-limiting characters. The dictionary may also be changed, as in someembodiments, to adapt or conform to various forms of alphanumericrepresentations and/or text.

In some non-limiting embodiments, a PIN entered by a user is recognizedto authenticate and direct actions such as but not limited to a payment.In other embodiments, an expression such as a facial expression istranslated to an “expression PIN” to direct a specific account and/orpayment method. In yet another embodiment, a biometric such as voice orsounds are recognized and translated to a “voice PIN” to direct apayment, direct a specific account and/or payment method and/or paymentamount.

Other embodiments include “gesture PINs” where payment is directed basedon user movement such as but not limited to waving a device or at adevice in a specific manner and “pattern PINs” where specific accountsand/or payment methods directed by a user drawing a pattern on or withinproximity of a device such as but not limited to a touch screen. In eachof these embodiments, multiple features are extracted to uniquelyidentify the user as well as the gestures, pattern, expression, word,sound or other salient features that may be associated with an accountor payment method.

A more detailed description of the behavior PIN generation method isdiscussed elsewhere herein. Those experienced in the art will readilyrecognize the basic concepts of authentication such as featureextraction in the front end and risk scoring in the backend.

With reference to FIG. 5, during training, in the method describedherein, one or more features are first extracted from one or more of theseparate frames, states, or dimensions of a behavioral input. In thecase of FIG. 5, the input is a vocal or audio biometric and fourfeatures 61, 62, 63, and 64 are extracted. Generally, the features areextracted during different time intervals of the presented biometric. Asa non-limiting example, feature 61 is extracted during a first timeinterval, feature 62 during a second time interval, feature 63 during athird time interval and feature 64 during a fourth time interval.

After feature extraction, risk scores are then derived for time-basedintervals of the behavior. The risk scores associated with the features61, 62, 63, and 64, are, respectively, risk scores 65, 66, 67, and 68.

Each risk score is then correlated to a character representation of therisk score. In FIG. 5 the character representations comprise “A” “1” “4”“!”, respectively, for each risk score 65, 66, 67, and 68. Thesecharacter representations of the risk scores are herein referred to as“risk score representations, or risk PINs.” The characters used for therepresentations of each risk score can include, but are not limited to,letters, numbers, symbols, pictures or any graphical or alphanumericalcharacters.

For example, as the input metrics are analyzed, a score is periodicallyobtained. That score is compared with a range (such as 5+−10). If thescore falls within that range its associated character such as ‘A’ isused. If the score was out of the range it is assigned a differentcharacter, such as ‘X’. After the scoring is completed, a string ofcharacters have been generated, such as “AH3KL”. Each characterrepresents a correlation between the score and a related range.

In the case of voice input, two different users speaking the sameutterance generates two different PINs because the periodic scores eachwill fall within different ranges, thereby generating different scores,such as Speaker 1: “AH3KL” and Speaker 2: “XY9LS”.

The assignment of character representations uses a risk score rangeassociated with each character representation. For example, assume anumerical value for the risk score 65 is calculated during scoring ofthe first interval of the user input. This value falls within a rangebetween XX and YY. The character representation for that range is “A.”Each risk score will fall within a designated range and each such rangewill have an assigned character representation, such as in this example“A”.

The result of this process is a character representation including butnot limited to a (PIN) personal identification number, e.g., A14! inFIG. 5. Authentication of the user and/or the account and/or the paymentamount is achieved by matching the generated PIN with one or morepreviously recorded or trained PINs. In one embodiment these recordedPINs are stored within a database of PINs.

In some embodiments, an entity will be authenticated and the accountwill be selected if the PIN exactly matches the PIN that was recordedduring training. In other embodiments the PIN required forauthentication must be within a range of legitimate PIN values. Inembodiments such as these, behaviors can be matched to fixed, inflexiblecryptographic keys within cryptographic devices.

In some embodiments, the risk score range associated with a specificcharacter representation may be predetermined.

Other embodiments comprise a technique wherein the risk score range iscalculated by means including but not limited to one or more givenalgorithms. In some other embodiments the risk score range may change asdetermined by the one or more given algorithms, however still producingthe same risk PIN. A dynamic risk score range, for example, as themetric inputs age or change.

One non-limiting example of where the risk score range would changewould be with voice recognition of a given phrase or word. For example,after years of a user uttering the same phrase, the risk scoredictionary will be dynamically updated to change with the users' voice.

In another example the same utterance may be spoken with variousbackground noises.

Over time the risk score range will be dynamically updated toauthenticate the user with the same risk PIN in different environments

Yet another example of where a risk score range would change would bewith the signature of a user. In both examples, the user may execute thebehavior differently over time, thus causing the “movement” or thechanging of the risk score range as calculated by the given one or morealgorithms.

Under one non-limiting embodiment, every n frames map the current HMM(Hidden Markov Model) network score(s) to a dictionary code. Each codecan also be defined as a range of values. Non-limiting examples includeA [0-10], B [10-20], C [20-30], etc. In some embodiments the dictionarycode can be concatenated with a time salt to obtain a unique hash. Theunique hash can then be used as cryptographic device key ifauthentication is required. In another non-limiting example theprocessing order of features can be non-sequential to deter attacksbetween front-end and back-end processing. In this example multiple HMMscan be generated during training and the appropriate HMM selected attime of recognition. In another example, multiple HMMs are scoredsimultaneously to obtain faster or more reliable recognition results.

Each spoken utterance will provide a consistent code, passcode and/or“PIN”. The user that trains the models' PIN can be used as anauthentication, or encryption key, or in some embodiments, associatedwith some other action or activity such as making a transaction. The PINwill depend on the scores of the HMM network(s) and not on the staticmodel values.

Different users speaking the same utterance will result in a differentPIN because the runtime scores will differ.

In one non-limiting example of authenticating a user, a user may speakinto a mobile device including but not limited to a smart wallet. First,feature extraction will be performed on the voice data received. Afterfeature extraction has been executed, risk scores will be generated fromone or more of the given extracted features, frames, states, ordimensions. Each risk score is then translated into or is given one ormore character representations, e.g., numbers, letters, symbols,characters or the like. The result is a representation of the voiceinput received, which may be in the form of a PIN.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the PIN may be storedlocally, online, or on a separate device. Local storage as referred toherein may include but is not limited to storage on the user device.Herein the user device may include but is not limited to a cell phone, asmart wallet, a smart watch, a tablet, or any other device. In somenon-limiting embodiments the user device may be offline, while in othernon-limiting embodiments, it may be connected to a network such as in anonline environment. Such devices, as referred to herein, may include butare not limited to any online or offline devices and the like.

In one method of the present invention, a user is able to accessspecific information elements based on his or her input. This is done bytying a specific character representation to a specific informationelement. Information elements may include but are not limited toamounts, one or more parts or sub-accounts of a financial account, orany other information elements.

According to the present invention, a user can use a behavior to selectone or more amounts to make one or more payments. In some non-limitingembodiments, each amount must below a limit maximum, allowing a user tomake payments up to that limit. One non-limiting example would be a useraccessing a bank account and making a $100 dollar payment by a wavinghis hand. The specific hand motion authenticates the user, identifiesthe bank account, and establishes the amount of $100.

Yet another method of the present invention entails making one or morepayments from one or more accounts using one or more user directedbehaviors. In a non-limiting embodiment, a user may make a singlepayment by using a single input to select multiple accounts. However, inother embodiments, a user may use two or more behaviors to accessmultiple accounts for the purpose of making one or more payments. In yetother embodiments the user may select an amount from one account usingone behavior, while using a different input to select another amounteither from the same or a different account. In such embodiments, one ormore transactions may be executed within any of the selected accounts.The user may also select one or more amounts from those accounts using asingle gesture as in some non-limiting embodiments, or one or moregestures as in others.

Yet another method of the present invention entails distributing thefeature extraction, behavior detection and/or risk score processingacross multiple devices. In one non-limiting embodiment, a user may havea voice model and risk score dictionary stored on a secure device, butthe secure device lacks a microphone input. In this example, the usercan speak into a separate device that has a microphone (e.g. a mobilephone), that then extracts certain features and wirelessly transmits theextracted features to the secure device. The secure device can thenperform the HMM recognition (to direct a specific payment) and generaterisk score (to authenticate a user).

In FIG. 5, features 61, 62, 63, and 64 are extracted from a user's voicein a feature extraction unit, risk scores 65, 66, 67 and 68 determinedfor each feature, and each risk score associated with a PIN value. Inthis example the PIN value selects an account 69.

FIG. 6 illustrates a user's voice print 90 with identified segments 91,92, 93, 94, 95, 96, and 103 thereof generating risk scores 97, 98, 99,100, 101 and 102, that are in turn generate a PIN value 103 for use inselecting an account. Alternatively, the generated PIN value can be usedto authenticate the user and/or identify an amount associated with theidentified account, as non-limiting examples.

Note that in the FIG. 6 example voice print segments overlap such thatseven voice print segments generate six risk scores. This feature ismerely exemplary and not required according to the present invention.

Although many of the presented examples relate to user authentication,selecting an account, an amount to be paid (a payment) against theaccount, and/or methods by which the payment is to be made, these aremerely for illustrative purposes only. In various embodiments thebiometric, behavioral-metric, electronic-metric, and/or theknowledge-metric may be used to more generally to perform any action,including but not limited to authentication and/or transactions.

Under one method of the present invention, some indication, hereafterreferred to as a starting indication, may be required in order for auser to begin the generation process of a code. In one embodiment, abutton or other trigger such as a touch

For physical behaviors this may include but is not limited to anacceleration limit wherein a specified acceleration of a mobile deviceor a body part of the user is used to activate a behavior recording. Insuch embodiments, the recording of a behavior may only begin after theacceleration of the mobile device or body part has equaled or surpasseda specified threshold. As a non-limiting example, a user may quicklyjerk his phone or move his ring in a certain direction and then continueto move in a circular motion to make the gesture of a circle. In asimilar embodiment, a user may speak a word or a part of a word at anaccelerated rate in order to activate a recording of the voice gesture.

In yet another system of the present invention, a user may use apreliminary behavior, or voice gesture in order to “wake-up” or queuethe authentication process to indicate the recording of a behavior. Suchwake-up methods are based on natural circumstances that may occur whenperforming an authentication, action, transaction or other activity andthe like, called “natural selection” hereafter. Natural selection isused to queue the authentication process in a way that is natural to theuser.

As a non-limiting example, a user may draw a ‘B’ in order to indicatethat a behavior needs to be recorded. In yet another non-limitingexample, a user may utter a first wake-up word, such as but not limitedto the word “record”, and then say the correct word or phrase forauthentication or control. Those versed in the art will readilyrecognize that in some embodiments, the preliminary behavior used inboth of these examples may be authentic to the entity, thus allowingonly the entity to start the recording of a behavior.

A behavior recording session may also begin recording whereupon naturalcircumstances are recognized. Such circumstances may include but are notlimited to movement; position; holding a device in a certain position ormoving is a specific direction; holding a body part in a certainposition or moving in a specific direction; entering a website; openingan app, network, server or service; request for financial credentials;request for credentials, login, password, PIN, pattern, tap PIN, or thelike, or a combination of the previous natural circumstances.

Other natural circumstances may include but are not limited to walkinginto a certain area or location. Under this embodiment, a device or cardmay not allow any authentication if an unknown or restricted location isdetected. This method prevents a device or card to be used if stolen, orin an unauthorized location.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of system wherein multiple input metricsare used for authentication. A biometric 30, knowledge-metric 31,electronic-metric 32 or behavior-metric 33 can be used for trainingmodels used for user authentication. The training results are stored 43and used during scoring 37. Different sensors 34 are used depending onthe input metric and the corresponding feature extraction 35 is thenperformed. After feature extraction 35 analysis 36 is performed and riskscores 37 are calculated. The risk score dictionary is used with thescores from 37 to perform code generation 38. The code result from 38 isused for authentication 39. Upon successful authentication the action tobe performed is selected 40 from all actions 42 and executed 41.

Certain embodiments of the present invention use an electronic-metric,alone or in combination with other metrics, to perform certain functionssuch as identifying an action or authenticating an entity. Aspects ofsuch electronic metrics are described below.

Certain embodiments employ time-based reordering of metric (e.g., bio,behavioral, electronic, or knowledge) segments and/or time-basedreordering of any one or more of biometric inputs, behavioral-metricinputs, electronic-metric inputs, and knowledge-metric inputs.

Interlacing of metric segments and/or interlacing of any two or more ofbiometric inputs, behavioral-metric inputs, electronic-metric inputs,and knowledge-metric inputs can also be used to advantage according tothe present invention.

Discriminating Electronic Emissions:

Non-human entities such as electronic devices typically communicate viasome form of an electro-magnetic field (EMF) emission such as but notlimited to RF (radio frequencies) signals and the like. Electroniccomponents also emit distinctive signals that classically do not conveyinformation and therefore are sometimes called “noise”. These EMFemissions are distinctive to the circuits that generate them, such asbut not limited to switching supplies, clocks, oscillators, RF (radiofrequency) and other noise generating components and the like. Thepresent invention facilitates recognition (and therefore authentication)of the emitting entity by recognizing the distinctive characteristics ofthe electronic emissions. Under this invention, these distinctiveelectronic emissions may be used to discriminate one entity fromanother, and thus authenticate an entity.

Distinctive electronic EMF emissions are low power signals, detectablein the “near field” within close proximity to another device via one ormore small sensors. Sensors may include small coils, EMF or RFcomponents or antennas such as but not limited to that described in theco-owned patent application assigned application Ser. No. 15/089,844,entitled Accordion Antenna Structure, and filed on Apr. 4, 2016.

Received EMF signals may be transformed to the frequency domain via anFFT (Fast Fourier Transform) or equivalent time-to-frequency domainconversion method (which those well versed in the art will recognize).The signal may be moved or “upconverted” or “downconverted” in frequencyand/or compared with noise to cancel noise that may conflict with thelow-level signal.

Features may then be extracted from the FFT and characterized usinganalytical methods including but not limited to Hidden Markov Models(HMM) and the like. Features may include frequencies, modulations,amplitude, pulse widths and the like. A previously trained model of theEMF from the specific electronic is used to score the output, and ifwithin certain thresholds of the resultant risk score, a “match” isconfirmed, and authentication is approved.

In some embodiments, the EMF emitted from one or more electronics may berecognized as a electronic-metric in combination with one or more otherauthentication methods such as but not limited to biometrics,knowledge-metrics, behavior-metrics and the like. Under certainconditions, one electronic entity may detect and recognize thedistinctive EMF emitted from another electronic entity through a user'sbody as he or she touches both electronics. Thus, under suchembodiments, multiple authentication factors may be detected andauthentication simultaneous so that the authenticating device knows theother device performing the behavior is indeed from that specific deviceand not from another electronic possibly attempting to fool theauthentication.

Combinations may also be utilized that combine one or moreauthentication methods and/or factors simultaneously. For example, whilea user draws a pattern using some device, the EMF signature of a firstelectronic device that is used to perform the behavior may be detectedand transmitted through the user's body to a second electronic devicethat then recognizes the first electronic device as one factor(electronic-metric) in the authentication process, as well as thepattern (knowledge-metric), fingerprint (biometric) of the individualand the movement (behavior) as the pattern is drawn.

FIG. 7 illustrates one non-limiting example of combiningelectronic-metrics with other authentication factors to achieve amulti-factor solution. As shown in FIG. 7, a first entity 110 (a smartphone in this non-limiting example) may detect and analyze 114 adistinctive electronic signal 113 emitting from a second entity 112 (awatch in this non-limiting example). The distinctive electronic signaldescribes the second entity 112 as having distinctive features that aidin recognition of the second entity. Thus, in this non-limiting example,a user may be authenticated by both the electronic-metric from thesecond device 112 (a watch) while a user 115 wearing the watch 112 drawsa pattern 111 to authenticate with a knowledge-metric (the pattern 111),and perhaps also a behavior-metric by detecting the speed and directionof the pattern 111 as it is drawn, and also possibly a biometric by allrecognizing the fingerprint as the pattern 111 is drawn. This addsmultiple factors to a common knowledge-metric based authenticationprocess of drawing a pattern.

An exemplary system for implementing the various software aspects of theinvention includes a computing device or a network of computing devices.In a basic configuration, computing device may include any type ofstationary computing device or a mobile computing device. Computingdevice typically includes at least one processing unit and systemmemory. Depending on the exact configuration and type of computingdevice, system memory may be volatile (such as RAM), non-volatile (suchas ROM, flash memory, and the like) or some combination of the two.System memory typically includes operating system, one or moreapplications, and may include program data. Computing device may alsohave additional features or functionality. For example, computing devicemay also include additional data storage devices (removable and/ornon-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, ortape. Computer storage media may include volatile and non-volatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information, such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Systemmemory, removable storage and non-removable storage are all examples ofcomputer storage media. Non-transitory computer storage media includes,but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other opticalstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or any other physical medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed bycomputing device. Any such computer storage media may be part of device.A computing device may also have input device(s) such as a keyboard,mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc. Outputdevice(s) such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also beincluded. Computing device also contains communication connection(s)that allow the device to communicate with other computing devices, suchas over a network or a wireless network. By way of example, and notlimitation, communication connection(s) may include wired media such asa wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the inventiondescribed above may be written in a high-level programming language,such as C or C++, for development convenience. In addition, computerprogram code for carrying out operations of embodiments of the presentinvention may also be written in other programming languages, such as,but not limited to, interpreted languages. Some modules or routines maybe written in assembly language or even micro-code to enhanceperformance and/or memory usage. It will be further appreciated that thefunctionality of any or all of the program modules may also beimplemented using discrete hardware components, one or more applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), or a programmed digital signalprocessor or microcontroller. A code in which a program of the presentinvention is described can be included as a firmware in a RAM, a ROM anda flash memory. Otherwise, the code can be stored in a tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium such as a magnetic tape, a flexibledisc, a hard disc, a compact disc, a photo-magnetic disc, a digitalversatile disc (DVD). The present invention can be configured for use ina computer or an information processing apparatus which includes amemory, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a RAM and a ROM as wellas a storage medium such as a hard disc.

The “step-by-step process” for performing the claimed functions hereinis a specific algorithm, and may be shown as a mathematical formula, inthe text of the specification as prose, and/or in a flow chart. Theinstructions of the software program create a special purpose machinefor carrying out the particular algorithm. Thus, in anymeans-plus-function claim herein in which the disclosed structure is acomputer, or microprocessor, programmed to carry out an algorithm, thedisclosed structure is not the general purpose computer, but rather thespecial purpose computer programmed to perform the disclosed algorithm.

A general purpose computer, or microprocessor, may be programmed tocarry out the algorithm/steps of the present invention creating a newmachine. The general purpose computer becomes a special purpose computeronce it is programmed to perform particular functions pursuant toinstructions from program software of the present invention. Theinstructions of the software program that carry out the algorithm/stepselectrically change the general purpose computer by creating electricalpaths within the device. These electrical paths create a special purposemachine for carrying out the particular algorithm/steps.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the discussion, itis appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizingterms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or“determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action andprocesses of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device,that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical(electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers andmemories into other data similarly represented as physical quantitieswithin the computer system memories or registers or other suchinformation storage, transmission or display devices.

Biometric inputs as referred to herein may comprise any one or more of afingerprint, a hand print, a voice input, an audio input, an iris print,voice pitch, dimensions of a body part, facial characteristics, anelectrocardiogram, heart rate, and a scent, etc.

Behavioral-metric inputs as referred to herein may comprise any one ormore of a pose, a position, a rotation, a hand gesture, a facialexpression, a facial position, a facial movement, a body position, aneye blinking rate, a number of eye blinks, a body motion, a vocalutterance, an aural utterance, motion of an object, position of anobject, a drawn pattern, a time interval between two behavioral-metricinputs, induced vibrations, duration of a behavioral-metric input,motion speed, motion acceleration, motion velocity, direction of motion,a hand motion, time elapsed during the hand motion, a static gesture,one or more sign language letters or characters, and a rhythmic input,etc.

Electronic-metric inputs as referred to herein may comprise any one ormore of an electro-magnetic field, an emission having featuresdistinctive to an electronic device, a noise spectrum as a function offrequency, an amplitude spectrum as a function of frequency, a pulsewidth, a power level as a function of frequency, emissions generated bya switching circuit.

Knowledge-metric input as referred to herein may comprise any one ormore of a password, a personal identification number, a logincharacters, a response to a question, a tap, and a personalidentification number, etc.

Certain aspects of the invention may benefit from the use of dynamicpairing concepts as related to an authentication process, including theconcept of “circles of access” among “trusted” entities, as described inthe co-owned non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/217,289entitled Universal Authentication and Data Exchange Method, System andService filed Mar. 17, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference.The described methods and systems involve growing “trust” among devicesthat are “inter-aware” of one another through historical interaction andauthentication such as but not limited to “Dynamic Pairing” as describedin another non-provisional co-owned patent application and assignedapplication Ser. No. 14/217,202 entitled The Un-Password: Risk AwareEnd-to-End Multi-factor Authentication via Dynamic Pairing, which isalso incorporated herein by reference. According to these inventions,entities increase trust as the history of interaction increases.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalent elements may be substitutedfor elements thereof without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. The scope of the present invention further includes anycombination of the elements from the various embodiments set forth. Inaddition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from itsessential scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not belimited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for authenticating a first entity, thesystem comprising: a storage component for storing a trainedelectronic-metric factor; a sensor for receiving an electronic-metricinput from the first entity; an analysis component for determining afirst relationship between the trained electronic-metric factor and anyelectronic-metric input; and an authentication component forauthenticating the first entity responsive to the first relationship. 2.The system of claim 1 wherein the system is disposed within a secondentity and the electronic-metric is transmitted from the first entity tothe second entity through a human body or a medium in close proximity tothe first and second entities.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein asuccessful authentication executes an action, controls a device, orexecutes a financial transaction.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein theanalysis component comprises a Hidden Markov Model (HMM).
 5. The systemof claim 1 wherein the electronic-metric input from the first entitycomprises an emission spectrum of the first entity.
 6. The system ofclaim 5 wherein the analysis component analyzes one or more of amplitudeas a function of frequency and spectral content as a function offrequency in determining the first relationship.
 7. The system of claim1 the storage component further storing at least one of a trainedbiometric factor, a trained behavioral-metric factor, and a trainedknowledge-metric factor, the analysis component for determining a secondrelationship between the trained biometric factor and any biometricinput, for determining a third relationship between the trainedbehavioral-metric factor and any behavioral-metric input, and fordetermining a fourth relationship between the trained knowledge-metricfactor and any knowledge-metric input, the authentication component forauthenticating the first entity responsive to the first, second, thirdand fourth relationships.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein theelectronic-metric input is provided concurrently with any one or more ofthe biometric input, the behavioral-metric input, and knowledge-metricinput.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronic-metric inputcomprises an emission spectrum, the sensor further comprising adetection device tuned to one or more frequencies within the emissionspectrum, the analysis component determining the first relationship andthe authentication component executing an action responsive to the firstrelationship.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronic-metricinput comprises a signal with power disposed over one or more firstfrequencies, the system further comprising a frequency conversioncomponent for upconverting or downconverting the one or more firstfrequencies to different one or more second frequencies, the one or moresecond frequencies input to the analysis component.
 11. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising a frequency-to-time converter responsive tothe electronic-metric input for converting the electronic-metric inputfrom a frequency domain signal to a time domain signal, the time domainsignal input to the analysis component.
 12. The system of claim 11wherein the frequency-to-time converter comprise a fast Fouriertransform.
 13. The system of claim 1 further comprising acode-generating component for producing a code responsive to therelationship, and wherein the authentication component is responsive tothe code.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the code generated by thecode-generating component comprises a cryptographically encoded codefurther comprising any one of a token, a hash, or a dynamic pairingcode.
 15. The system of claim 13 wherein the code is derived from atleast one risk score representing a correlation between the trainedelectronic-metric factor and any electronic-metric factor.
 16. Aportable device, a mobile device a smart wallet, a smart television, agame console, a cell phone, a tablet, a laptop, a smart watch, apersonal computer, a wearable item or an on-line device comprises thesystem of claim
 1. 17. The system of claim 1 wherein theelectronic-metric input comprises EMF emissions and the sensor comprisesan antenna or a coil
 18. The system of claim 1 wherein theelectronic-metric input comprises an RF emission having characteristicsrelated to frequency, modulation, amplitude, and pulse width.
 19. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the first entity comprises a portableelectronics device, a mobile phone, a cell phone, a smart wallet, asmart television, a game console, a tablet computer, a laptop computer,a smart watch, a personal computer, and a wearable item.
 20. The systemof claim 1 further comprising an identification component foridentifying an action responsive to the first relationship.